Tuna Noodle Casserole
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
45 mins
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Total Time
1 hr
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Servings
8 servings (1 1/2 cups each)
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Calories
412 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Tuna Noodle Casserole
Description
This Tuna Noodle Casserole starts by cooking egg noodles until just tender, then combining them with sautéed mushrooms and onions that have been cooked until their moisture evaporates to concentrate flavor. Frozen peas and flaked white tuna are added along with fresh chopped parsley, chicken broth, and heavy cream, creating a creamy savory sauce.
The mixture is transferred to a prepared baking dish and topped with crushed Ritz cracker crumbs tossed with melted butter. Baking at a high temperature melts the butter topping and produces a golden, crisp crust that contrasts with the creamy casserole beneath.
Freshly ground salt and pepper are added during cooking to ensure balanced flavor throughout. Serving with lemon wedges provides a bright acidity to cut through the richness. This recipe yields about 12 cups, enough for eight servings.
Leftover casserole can be kept refrigerated in an airtight container for up to four days. Alternative toppings include breadcrumbs or crushed potato chips. Mushrooms can be omitted or replaced with celery if preferred.
Ingredients
For the topping:
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- 35 Ritz crackers smashed into fine crumbs (1 sleeve, see note 1)
For the casserole:
- salt see note 2, freshly ground
- black pepper see note 2, freshly ground
- 8 ounces egg noodles (about 3 cups, see note 3)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 10 ounces white button mushrooms trimmed and sliced thin, optional (see note 4)
- 1 onion minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup peas frozen
- 2 (7-ounce) foil pouches solid white tuna flaked (see note 5)
- 2 tablespoons parsley minced, fresh
- lemon for serving, wedges
Instructions
- To make the topping, in a small bowl, add crackers crumbs and melted butter and toss to coat. Set aside.
- To make the casserole, preheat oven to 450 degrees. Coat a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Bring 4 quarts water and 1 tablespoon salt to boil. Add egg noodles and cook until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain well.
- Meanwhile, In a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter until foaming. Add mushrooms, onion, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook until mushrooms are browned and their liquid has evaporated, about 15 minutes.
- Add peas, tuna, parsley, broth, and cream. Bring to simmer, about 10 minutes. Add cooked noodles and toss to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper (I like 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper). Do not skip this step or your casserole may be bland!
- Pour mixture into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with bread crumb mixture. Bake until the sauce is bubbling and the crumbs are golden brown, about 10 to 15 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Substitute bread crumbs, crushed potato chips, or saltine crackers for the Ritz cracker topping.
- Season with salt and pepper at multiple stages to enhance depth of flavor in the creamy casserole.
- Egg noodles cook quickly and provide tender texture; other pasta shapes can be used as preferred.
- If you dislike mushrooms, replace with celery or omit entirely.
- Use solid white tuna packed in water for best results.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 4 days.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings (1 1/2 cups each)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 412 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1.5 cups | |
| Calories | 412kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 35g | 12% |
| Protein | 19g | 38% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 0.4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 92mg | 31% |
| Sodium | 559mg | 23% |
| Potassium | 410mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 863IU | 17% |
| Vitamin C | 11mg | 12% |
| Calcium | 70mg | 7% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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